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What's next for Open Streets TO?

Thousands turned up for last event of the summer, and expanding program could grow in the years ahead, organizers say.

Open Streets TO 2015 saw much of Bloor St. (from Christie to Parliament) and Yonge St. (from Bloor to Queen) closed to traffic and turned into a paved "park" where people were encouraged to engage in physical activity in a fun way. Hogtown Sound played in front of Holt Renfrew. Guitarist is Robert Pisani. (KEITH BEATY / TORONTO STAR)

A unicyclist named Christopher rides on Bloor St. while playing his ukulele. (KEITH BEATY / TORONTO STAR)

“I like seeing all the people out, enjoying the day," Christopher Hoyle said. "It just seems more alive.” (keith beaty / toronto star)

“I live in the area, and it’s nice to be down here when there’s not traffic," Wendy 'Fanny Slamtastic' Strickland said of the day. It’s serene now — there’s no honking.” Sarah “Bratmobile” Senechal added: “It’s fantastic to skate on this strip. I love Toronto events like this where everyone comes out and has a really great time.” (keith beaty / toronto star)

Cycling advocate Yvonne Bambrick said Open Streets is "just a chance for people to get out and enjoy community and share places that are otherwise for vehicles… my favourite is all the kids riding their bikes.”
(KEITH BEATY / TORONTO STAR)

“I think it’s necessary that people get out of their comfort and enjoy what Mother Nature has in store for us," said Dennis Kojo-Nimoh. "It’s also good to stay in shape — you live longer.”
(KEITH BEATY / TORONTO STAR)

“No vehicles on the street are better for pedestrians (and) the weather is good, nice and sunny," said Hitesh Gusani. "I hope the weather stays like this a few more months!”
(KEITH BEATY / TORONTO STAR)

On Sunday, thousands of Toronto residents filled a massive T-shaped section of the downtown core — dancing, shopping, and enjoying the freedom of car-free streets.

The crowds were out for this year’s second Open Streets TO event, the city’s largest free recreation program, stretching along Bloor St. West, from Christie to Parliament, and southbound down Yonge St. all the way to Queen St.

This year’s first date was Aug. 16, and it’s only the second year for the program — but its organizers have big plans for the future.

We chatted with Councillor Kristyn Wong-Tam, who brought together a group in early 2013 to launch the program, and Alyssa Bird, the current Open Streets TO co-chair, to see how the event has grown and where it’s heading in the years ahead.

Are you happy with how Open Streets TO went this year?

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KWT: I thought (Sunday) went extremely well considering it was the long weekend. The extension of the route to Christie was a huge hit. The Annex Business Improvement Area has gotten involved and really championed the program on that stretch of the route — we got to see some of the businesses pull their patios out early.

AB: This year was much smoother and we were really happy with Aug. 16. Anecdotally, we believe just as many people attended as last year, if not more. Last year over the two dates, we saw over 45,000 people.

What do you see as the benefits of having open streets?

KWT: It’s about getting people off their couches and spending time with their families, getting to know their neighbours, and getting residents outside their comfort zone. There were a number of folks who stopped me on the street and said they don’t normally go east of Yonge St., but they went to Parliament to continue their route.

AB: We are first and foremost a health promotion program. Our intention is that Open Streets TO is an opportunity for Torontonians to get out and be active. We also want to encourage people to think differently about how they get around their city, perhaps walking or taking transit.

Where is Open Streets TO heading in the future?

KWT: In an ideal world, we’d love to expand the route as far as we can possibly take it. Right down to Broadview and Main would be great, as far west as High Park, and as north as possible. In other cities, programs are 64 kilometres in Guadalajara, Mexico, and 120 kilometres in Bogotá, Colombia. When you have that kind of route, you have greater connectivity and residents from different backgrounds. Open streets can be a great social equalizer. People are walking and on their bikes, you don’t need a gym membership — and it’s free. One day, I’d love us to be as large as Guadalajara.

AB: It’s not a secret that when we came out with the concept of Open Streets TO in 2013, we had a much greater vision than what’s being implemented now. The original vision was a 14-kilometre route from Withrow Park to High Park and then along Yonge St. from Bloor St. to Queen St., but we would obviously like to connect to the wonderful recreational trails installed since then on the Waterfront. We also wanted four days for the program. Next year, we’ll go back to the table with our partners and evaluate this season of the program, with the hopes of inching further and further to Dufferin, or further west.

These interviews have been edited and condensed.

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